The approach, if validated in future human studies, could offer a more targeted way to prevent or delay type 1 diabetes by safeguarding insulin-producing beta cells rather than broadly altering the immune system.

Lead author Jacob Enriquez and co-author Raghu G. Mirmira highlighted the novelty of targeting beta cells specifically and the potential for precise, cell-type–specific delivery.

In early animal testing, the nanoparticle therapy reached target cells and delayed diabetes progression in mice, including models with transplanted human beta cells.

The study was funded by Breakthrough T1D and the National Institutes of Health, with the University of Chicago research led by Enriquez and Mirmira.

The therapy delivers PD-L1 mRNA directly to beta cells, prompting production of PD-L1 protein to shield cells from autoimmune attack and inflammation.

Published in Cell Reports Medicine as a proof-of-concept, the work does not yet include human data and leaves questions about long-term safety and duration of protection.

University of Chicago researchers developed an mRNA-based nanoparticle therapy aimed at protecting insulin-producing beta cells to prevent or slow type 1 diabetes.

Researchers emphasize the novelty of delivering PD-L1 mRNA to beta cells and the potential for cell-type-specific immune protection.

The study contrasts with traditional prevention strategies that broadly modulate the immune system, instead aiming for targeted beta-cell protection.

While the findings show a delay in diabetes progression in mice and hint at translational relevance to human cells, no human trials have occurred yet.